Korean flavors add to this indulgent specialty

The basic building blocks of poutine — french fries, cheese curds and gravy — are extremely adaptable. The indulgent Canadian specialty gets an exciting injection of Korean flavor in Salaryman’s version of poutine, topped with a Korean-style beef stew called kalbi jjim.

Kalbi jjim, made with beef short ribs, is a natural companion for french fries. The tender meat shreds easily, and distributes itself evenly throughout the fries — a crucial aspect of smothered dishes, such as poutine or nachos.

The rich, savory stew is offset by the acidity of kimchi, and shredded cheese puts this decadent poutine over the top. Although cheese is a rarity in most East Asian cuisine, its popularity has grown explosively in South Korea.